Mike Balance vs. Phoenix, Russ Chimes vs. Heads We Dance, DVW vs. Rihanna

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 >> Blog
Written by Dani Deahl

Allright – got my headphones back (finally) and ready to rock it! Lots of crazy opportunities coming up that I can’t wait to announce to you guys and I’m working on a new mix (um, has it been long enough?). BTW, I have a ton of gigs coming up if anyone is interested in attending. Very excited about the one in Denver – I’ll be playing with one of my faves, Cold Blank, who I love to post about here on dsquared!

Vertigo Sky Lounge, Chicago: 3/13/10
Tonic Room, Chicago: 3/16/10
Viceroy Hotel, Miami: 3/25/10
Scoop @ Tini Martini, Chicago: 3/27/10
Vlive, Chicago: 3/27/10
Moct, Milwaukee: 4/3/10
Rehab @ Debonair, Chicago: 4/5/10
Vlive, Chicago: 4/10/10
MISSchievous Monday @ Social 25, Chicago, IL: 4/12/10
Palladium, Denver: 4/17/10
Plan B, Madison: 4/24/10

Mike Balance has crafted a wicked blend of Phoenix’s ever popular “1901″. I think this will actually be my go-to remix from now on. With a hybrid of the existing sounds and cadence with an electro base and a punchy kick drum, this re-rub toes the line splendidly between original and remix. Love the considerate intro and outro that’s just the kick with the instrumentals slowly fading in.

[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/03_10_10/1901_MikeBalanceReRub.mp3]
Phoenix: 1901 (Mike Balance Remix)
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FnDannyBoy has a new side project called Mother Superior with MC Metafisix and they’ve created an electro version of Kevin Rudolf’s “Made It”. It’s such a solid remix, with few central elements that all serve a distinct role. Love the synth (and the subsequent building layers) and the shuffled drums though I’m slightly surprised there isn’t a break beyond about 2:00.

[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/03_10_10/KevinRudolf_IMadeIt_MotherSuperiorRemix.mp3]
Kevin Rudolf: I Made It (Mother Superior Remix)
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[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/03_10_10/KevinRudolf_IMadeIt_MotherSuperiorInstrumentalMix.mp3]
Kevin Rudolf: I Made It (Mother Superior Instrumental Remix)
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DVW sent in this remix of Rihanna’s “Rude Boy” though I’d consider this more of a party break considering it’s about 3:30 and the vocal is only a snippet of the chorus, lasting for about a minute. That doesn’t mean it’s not good. On the contrary it’s made well – the melody underneath is actually quite mellow, with soft vocal stabs and two layers of synth that scream ‘play me in a big room’. I think as a party break it works really well and is a great teaser.

[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/03_10_10/Rihanna_RudeBoy_DVWRemix.mp3]
Rihanna: Rude Boy (DVW Remix)
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Pretty much anything Russ Chimes sends over I post and I also post just about anything from Heads We Dance so this new remix is as far as I’m concerned a match made in heaven. Russ Chimes’ remix of “When The Sirens Sound” is simply gorgeous. I love the tone of lead singer Becky’s voice to begin with and the band always seem to be spot on with choosing remixers who create these airy, electro-driven remixes (Um, Digitalfoxglove’s mix of “Take My Picture” anyone?). Between the soft hand drums and the echoed staccato synths, I’m in love.

[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/03_10_10/HeadsWeDance_WhenTheSirensSound_RussChimesRemix.mp3]
Heads We Dance: When The Sirens Sound (Russ Chimes Remix)
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Bonus tracks:

[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/03_10_10/TheHumanLeague_DontYouWantMe_ComputerClub.mp3]
The Human League: Don’t You Want Me? (Computer Club Edit)
Download

[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/03_10_10/bbones_crystalcaves_rocketsremix.mp3]
Butterfly Bones: Crystal Caves (Rockets Remix)
Download